July/August 2019

JULY/AUGUST 2019 AFTERMARKET 51 www.aftermarketonline.net DPF cleaning toolkit and the air intake extreme clean toolkit pro. "This enables professional mechanics to quickly and effectively clean DPFs and diesel engines in their workshop with minimal fuss and maximum satisfaction for the customer," said Kalimex MD Mike Schlup, "The low cost toolkits do not require a hefty financial outlay which allows the workshop to quickly return a valuable profit on a new service." JLM spokesman, DPF Doctor Darren Darling was on hand too, to share his wisdom. The show also provided a platform for the official launch of for SP Tools to the aftermarket. "The Australian brand offers an extensive range of hand and power tools designed for the professional user," added Mike. ACtronics If you fancied a change of tune, the ACtronics stand was the place to be. As in previous years, those at the show could dance to the beat of a different drum when they reached the company's impressive white and purple edifice. As the music played, the many units the company can remanufacture were reacting to the sound of the music. Members of the ACtronics team were on hand to provide information, and if they were busy you could just boogie while you wait. With a see-through floor, you wouldn't want to go anywhere else. National Refrigerants National Refrigerants were also back at Automechanika Birmingham, continuing to promote R1234yf, the environmentally friendly automotive air-conditioning gas. National Refrigerants was appointed as Honeywell’s Solstice R1234yf UK authorised re-packer and distributor in January 2013 and was recently named as their Solstice yf European distributor of the year. Apec Braking/TECHMATE Meanwhile, on the TECHMATE stand, Apec Braking’s TECHMATE experts Graeme and Siti on hand to share their knowledge with Automechanika visitors. The team were also giving away a free Hub Cleaning kit every hour, on each day of the show. Hickleys Hickleys were back at Automechanika Birmingham in 2019 with a highly visible presence that helped them show off its range of garage and diagnostic equipment, including the Dama range of vehicle lifts, tools and tyre equipment as well as a wide range of 3D wheel alignment, ADAS calibration and automatic tyre wear equipment. Also at the show was the Auto Frontal technical information programme, which offers service and technical information, technical support and diagnostic solutions on a single platform. LIQUI MOLY LIQUI MOLY spread themselves out at Automechanika Birmingham with a big stand conveniently close to one of the entrances. You couldn't miss them. Alongside its oils and additives range, the company was showcasing some of its equipment. One example was JetClean Tronic II, a system that can be used for basic cleaning of the engine and fuel system. The company also had Gear Tronic II on the stand, which undertakes complex oil changes in automatic transmissions, and allows cleaning and care additives to be integrated in service. IAAF Following her standing-room-only appearance at the Aftermarket Seminar Theatre where she spoke about the key issues affecting the sector, IAAF CEO Wendy Williamson made time to talk to Aftermarket about the organisation's aims at the show: "We are here to attract new members, and to talk about what we do. One is the very important area around policy and lobbying, which traditionally has been targeted at the EU. This is because they are the ones who are largely setting the agenda for UK legislation, either on the vehicles or the parts side. Of course, given the impending Brexit, and the uncertainty, we have now upped our lobbying for the UK as well. We recently had a meeting with the DfT to explore some of the scenarios you would get with a no-deal Brexit, and what that might result in for us. "The current main topics are extended vehicle and connectivity. The biggest area of concern is that the vehicle manufacturers are trying to redefine some of the areas on the vehicle which would normally have just been a repair. They are now classifying some of these as anti-theft or security issues. That makes these part of the car less easily accessible to ordinary workshops. Unless we understand and react to that, workshops will be locked out of the vehicle via the back door. The SERMI legislation, which covers this, is ready to go and has been for a few years. This would give the vetted technician the right to work on the secure area of the car, but you would have to work for a business that had also been vetted. It would be run by an independent trust centre. For me, this is the way forward. "Also, ACEA want to extend SERMI to cover anti-emission activities, but the way they see it, the vehicle would almost need to be re-Type- Approved once it has been worked on. That is typical, you think it is a good idea, then you look into the small print. "Then there is Type Approval. Also, there is Your Car Your Choice, which has been updated for the digital era. Block Exemption ends in 2023, which in legislative terms, is tomorrow." Wendy explained the IAAF's BER position: "We have submitted what we feel are the items on the roadmap that need looking at. When Block Exemption was formed in 2003, digital connected cars did not exist. We need to not only protect our existing rights, but also make sure we can access information in the same time frame as franchised dealers." IGA The Independent Garage Association (IGA) had another busy Automechanika Birmingham this year, as staff on the stand advised members and non-members alike on many aspects affecting today's independent sector, and discussed the support the organisation offers to members. Topics covered ranged from the MOT, to Health and Safety as well as lobbying activities and tech issues. Walker Products Walker Products meanwhile showcased their product line expansions. Kit on show included Lambda sensors, exhaust gas temperature sensors, cam and crank position sensors, differential pressure sensors, and mass air flow sensors. GS Yuasa GS Yuasa used the show to launch GS Yuasa Academy, its new online battery training platform. Featuring both Yuasa and GS battery brands, it provides over 20 certified courses tailored to different job roles. Training